Fire at an Indoor Shooting Range in Busan II. Causes and Fire Safety Measures

Fire simulation by using a computational fluid dynamics model and examination of the fires at indoor shooting ranges broken out in the past were conducted, to presume causes of the fire at the indoor shooting range in Busan and suggest fire safety measures. On-site investigations and shooting tests on unburned gunpowder were also carried out. No trace of the muzzle spark and spark at the bullet trap was found in CCTV footage, and the impact of a stray bullet failed to ignite gunpowder. Cigarette was therefore presumed to be the most likely source of ignition among the potential sources. It appeared that the explosion in the shooting area was caused by violent burning of the polyurethane sound absorber and unburned gunpowder accumulated on it. The fire safety measures include prohibit of use of profile polyurethane sound absorber, removal of steel components from bullet trap, clean up and control of unburned gunpowder, etc.